Armacell's iconic project - Empire State Building, New York
Lconic buildings like the Empire State Building in New York City evolve with the times. In 2009, the Empire State Building underwent extensive LEED® Gold certification, which required detailed benchmarking of all areas of the building structure to determine energy savings potential.
The Empire State Building’s renovation upgrades included energy-efficient windows, chiller rooms, building controls updates, and the establishment of a tenant energy management system. ArmaFlex was the only material written into the Empire State Building’s specifications and was used on chillers, chilled water lines, condensate lines, and air ducts. ArmaFlex’s closed-cell structure, high flexibility, and ability to fit into tight spaces made it an ideal choice. It also met all thermal conductivity requirements, which helps the system (especially in equipment below ambient temperature) save energy and prevent condensation.
Skyscrapers often experience a chimney effect. This effect occurs in tall buildings when the outdoor temperature is much lower than the indoor temperature. Warm air inside rises to find a way to escape, creating negative pressure in the lower floors that pulls cold air into the building. This creates a challenge in maintaining indoor temperatures, which is another important reason why ducts on the exterior walls are insulated. ArmaFlex has a low thermal conductivity, making it a good choice to prevent pipes from freezing.
Armaflex also meets expectations for indoor air quality. Being fiber-free and non-dusting means no fibers are introduced into the air stream, especially in duct lining applications. Armaflex has built-in Microban® antimicrobial protection, which effectively inhibits the growth of mold and bacteria. In addition, it is GREENGUARD Gold certified, ensuring low VOC emissions and healthy breathing for indoor occupants.
